Northern Suburbs Drive Demand For Emergency Assistance

AnglicareSA is calling for South Australians to dig deep and donate to its emergency assistance program as demand for its services grows, forcing the not-for-profit to turn away hundreds of people in financial hardship each month.

AnglicareSA conducts a regular Turn Away Census to keep up to date with the changing level of need across the community.

During the November 2017 census week, 236 people received emergency assistance (EA) across AnglicareSA’s five metropolitan EA sites, but a further 148 people were turned away without receiving assistance.

Seven people were also turned away from two country EA services (Whyalla 6 and Wallaroo 1).

AnglicareSA CEO Peter Sandeman, said that the greatest degree of unmet need was in Adelaide’s northern region, where the Elizabeth Mission and Salisbury sites reported a combined total of 68 percent of all turn aways from EA sites (43 in Elizabeth and 59 in Salisbury).

“Despite the efforts of AnglicareSA and other social service providers to alleviate hardship, the data in our latest census demonstrates a continuing high and unmet need,” he said.

“The northern suburbs of Adelaide continue to be the areas of greatest demand for our emergency assistance services. While we were able to help 88 clients in Elizabeth and Salisbury that week, we had to turn away another 100. Turn aways at our Salisbury site were up nearly 30 percent since our May 2017 census.”

“The impact of the Holden closure is still keenly felt throughout the northern suburbs and will continue to be for some time to come.”

The key reasons for presentation at emergency relief sites continue to be inadequate income to meet the costs of living, and bill pressure – particularly utility bills.

Funding sources for AnglicareSA emergency services include:

The Australian Department of Social Services to deliver Emergency Relief

SA Department for Communities and Social Inclusion’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program

AnglicareSA contributes more than $500,000 per year to support the delivery of emergency assistance

The community provides volunteers, contributes food and makes donations to support the delivery of emergency assistance.

To make a tax deductible gift to our Christmas Appeal, donate online or telephone 8305 9205.